The airline which kicked members of a hen party off an East Midlands airport flight to Majorca has hit back after the bride-to-be questioned its actions.

Jet2 claimed the 18-strong group were using “colourful language” and that one of them had pulled her top off in the departure lounge.

Six members of the group were ordered to leave the flight before it took off after flight attendants spotted they were wearing t-shirts bearing the slogan ‘Bitches on Tour’.

Emma Green, 35, had previously said: “We did not deserve to be treated like we did. But the word bitch is a pretty mild curse as far as they go anyway, I hardly think the T-shirts were that offensive in the first place.”

Bride-to-be Emma Green wearing the t-shirt which got her and her hens kicked off the Jet2 flight

Jet2 has defended its decision in a long statement on its website. It was issued after Sir Richard Branson offered to fly the 18 women to Las Vegas on his Virgin Atlantic airline.

The statement said: “We believe that the language displayed last week on the hen party’s T-shirts, coupled with their rowdy behaviour was unacceptable for a family-friendly airline. During half term we have many children flying with us.”

Detailing the group’s behaviour, the airline said the trouble began at check-in when the group were asked not to display the slogans on their T-shirts.

East Midlands Airport

The statement said: “This led to repeated protests, inappropriate and often colourful language and one individual even ripping her top off in front of other bemused customers while others in the group cheered. The group eventually complied and the aircraft prepared to depart for Majorca.

“Sadly, hopes for a trouble-free flight were premature as once in the cabin, six of the group again decided to ignore the warnings, revealing the offensive wording in front of an aircraft full of families and children.

“Their repeated failure to adhere to promises they had previously agreed to and their continued disruptive behaviour led the crew to become concerned as to how things might develop once the aircraft was airborne.”